BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Birmingham's budget standoff between Mayor William Bell and the City Council remains, with no clear agreement in sight.

The council today proposed its latest version of the $380.98 million 2014 spending plan which strips out its compromise of additional money for Bell's new initiative and cuts all funding for additional civil rights commemoration activities.

Following Bell's rejection of the council's last version of the 2014 budget, council members returned today with another proposal that removes $738,000 in extra money for a weed abatement program.

Today's proposal is the latest volley, coming after Bell tossed over the net his budget version that added an additional $1 million to the already budgeted $3 million for "Mow More" weed abatement and left $100,000 for his requested civil rights commemoration spending.

Bell also wanted to restore cut funding to the Birmingham Construction Industry Authority and Urban Impact. Conversely, he cut funding to several non-profit agencies advocated by the council.

Birmingham Mayor William Bell

The council answered by keeping its original spending and stripping out all of Bell's additions, except retaining $2.68 million for employee merit raises. Bell had originally left the item out of his budget, but asked that it be included during back and forth talks.

The council's plan used the mayor's newfound cash to make it all balance.

"Now the mayor needs to move it to the agenda for approval," said Councilwoman Kim Rafferty, who proposed the latest version of the council's document. "If he doesn't like it, he can veto it. But he cannot deny a balanced budget from coming to a vote."

Councilwoman Kim Rafferty

While most council members support the latest plan, optimism remains low at City Hall that it has a chance at quick passage.

Bell so far has refused to put any of the modified budgets on the agenda for a vote. Only his office, through the finance director, can prepare the documents needed to vote on the budget.

"Basically we're back in the same place that we were last time," said Councilman Johnathan Austin, who crafted the previous council proposal. "The only change that we've made to our original submission is we added the merit increase that the mayor left out of his original budget. The ball is in the mayor's court right now. The council has made several concessions. Obviously the council is not looking to make any major changes to the budget that we presented June 20."

Bell's office has given no indication of whether he would put the item on next week's council agenda.

Several calls to Bell's chief of staff, Chuck Faush, throughout the day were not returned.

"I don't have a crystal ball, but if you go by the Mayor/Council Act, which is state law, the mayor should put the item for the council's approval or disapproval," said Councilwoman Valerie Abbott. "We've beaten this horse beyond recognition."